About a decade ago, the Peruvian government chose to ban the operation of any helicopters in the Nazca area.
There were concerns that the helicopters might cause an accident if they were struck by low-flying aircraft. Most Nazca Lines flights in Nazca even back then were provided by small Cessna aircraft, so the presence of helicopters in the air space was thought to present a small but real risk.
Some individuals in the government were worried that the vigorous movement of the rotor blades of the helicopter might cause a lot of downward “blasts” of air which could damage the Nazca Lines below. This seems implausible due to the height that the helicopters fly, and probably is not a valid reason for the ban.
Now that you know it is impossible to see the Nazca Lines by helicopter, what alternatives exist?
You will definitely need to fly in a airplane, not a helicopter.
We offer flights aboard a state-of-the-art Cessna Grand Caravan from the airport in Pisco, flights aboard a Cessna 207 from the airport in Nazca, and we also offer Nazca Lines tour packages from Lima that include an english-speaking tour guide, private round-trip transportation from Lima to the airport in Pisco, and a flight over the Nazca Line from Pisco airprt.
With the Dune Buggy and Sandboarding tour
When travelers select this optional tour, we schedule their flight from the airport in Ica, located just 10 minutes away from the oasis where the dune buggy tour begins. We can also offer a two hour group dune buggy tour instead of a one hour private tour, if you are willing to arrive back to Lima very late at 11:45 PM. Let us know if you prefer this.
Pickup at your hotel, transfer to bus station
6:10 AM - 6:30 AM
First-class bus from Lima to Ica
6:55 AM - 11:00 AM
Check-in, security procedures, boarding flight
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Purchase and eat lunch at the oasis
1:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Private dune and sandboarding tour
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Return to Lima by first-class bus
5:00 PM - 9:40 PM
Transfer to your hotel
9:40 PM - 10:00 PM
With the Paracas National Reserve tour
Please note that the flight departure times at the airport in Pisco change every day, depending on the weather and the arrival times of the other passengers. So the listed times below are just an example; you might be picked up earlier or later than this. And your flight might be before your Paracas Reserve tour or afterwards. It is important to be flexible and patient.
Pickup at your hotel, transfer to bus station
6:10 AM - 6:30 AM
Touristic Bus from Lima to Paracas
6:55 AM - 10:45 AM
Check-in, security procedures, boarding flight
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines
11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
Paracas National Reserve private tour + time for lunch
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Return to Lima by first-class bus
4:10 PM - 8:10 PM
Transfer to your hotel in Lima
8:10 PM - 8:30 PM
With a private Tambo Colorado Tour
When our clients add the dune buggy tour to this tour package, we will schedule the Nazca Lines flight from the airport in Ica, which is just a few minutes away from the oasis where your dune buggy tour begins.
Private transport from Lima to Paracas
7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Paracas National Reserve private tour, eat lunch
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Sleep in Paracas
Pickup at your hotel
7:40 AM
Ballestas Islands boat tour
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Tambo Colorado tour and time for lunch
10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Private transport back to Lima, end of tour
2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
With the Dune buggy Tour
When our clients add the dune buggy tour to this tour package, we will schedule the Nazca Lines flight from the airport in Ica, which is just a few minutes away from the oasis where your dune buggy tour begins.
Private transport from your hotel to Ica airport
6:50 AM - 11:10 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines from Ica airport
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Eat lunch, relax at the oasis
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Dune buggy and sandboarding tour
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Private transport to Paracas
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sleep in Paracas ( kindly reserve whichever hotel you prefer)
Pickup at your hotel in Paracas
7:40 AM
Ballestas Islands boat tour
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Paracas National Reserve private tour
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Private transport to Lima
2:00 PM - 6:30 PM
with a private tour to Hacienda San Jose
Sometimes the airline may need to change your flight time, meaning we may need to pick you up later or earlier than this schedule indicates.
With this optional tour, we will schedule your flight from the airport in Ica, located just 10 minutes away from the oasis where your dune buggy tour will begin. We can also offer a two hour group dune buggy tour instead of a one hour private tour, if you are willing to arrive back to Lima very late at 10:45 PM.
Private transport from Lima to Paracas
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Paracas National Reserve tour
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sleep in Paracas
Private transport to Ica
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Visit archaeology museum (optional)
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines from Ica
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Winery tour, lunch
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Dune buggy tour of the desert, with option
to try sandboarding
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Private transport back to hotel in Paracas
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sleep in Paracas
Pickup at your hotel
7:40 AM
Ballestas Islands boat tour
8:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Private transport to Hacienda San Jose
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Tambo Colorado private tour
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Time for lunch nearby
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Private transport back to Lima
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
with Tambo Colorado
Sometimes the airline may need to change your flight time, meaning we may need to pick you up later or earlier than this schedule indicates.
With this optional tour, we will schedule your flight from the airport in Ica, located just 10 minutes away from the oasis where your dune buggy tour will begin. We can also offer a two hour group dune buggy tour instead of a one hour private tour, if you are willing to arrive back to Lima very late at 10:45 PM.
Private transport from Lima to Paracas
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Paracas National Reserve tour
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sleep in Paracas
Private transport to Ica
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Visit archaeology museum (optional)
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines from Ica
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Winery tour, lunch
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Dune buggy tour of the desert, with option
to try sandboarding
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Private transport back to hotel in Paracas
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sleep in Paracas
Pickup at your hotel
7:40 AM
Ballestas Islands boat tour
8:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Tambo Colorado private tour
10:15 AM - 1:15 PM
Time for lunch in Paracas
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Private transport back to Lima
2:15 PM - 5:45 PM
With the Dune Buggy and Sandboarding tour
Sometimes the airline may need to change your flight time, meaning we may need to pick you up later or earlier than this schedule indicates.
With this optional tour, we will schedule your flight from the airport in Ica, located just 10 minutes away from the oasis where your dune buggy tour will begin. We can also offer a two hour group dune buggy tour instead of a one hour private tour, if you are willing to arrive back to Lima very late at 10:45 PM.
Private transport from Lima to Ica
6:50 AM - 11:00 AM
Check-in, security procedures, boarding flight
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Purchase and eat lunch at the oasis
1:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Private dune buggy and sandboarding tour
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Return to Lima by private transport
4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
With the Paracas National Reserve tour
Please note that the flight departure times at the airport in Pisco change every day, depending on the weather and the arrival times of the other passengers. So the listed times below are just an example; you might be picked up earlier or later than this. And your flight might be before your Paracas Reserve tour or afterwards. It is important to be flexible.
Private transport from Lima to Paracas
7:00 AM - 10:40 AM
Check-in, security procedures, boarding flight
10:40 AM - 11:00 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Paracas National Reserve private tour + time for lunch
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Return to Lima by private transport
4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
With the Ballestas Islands tour
Please note that the flight departure times at the airport in Pisco change every day, depending on the weather and the arrival times of the other passengers. So the listed times below are just an example; you might be flying later in the day. But you will be picked up at 4:20 AM in Lima.
Private transport from Lima to Paracas
4:20 AM - 7:30 AM
Ballestas Islands boat tour
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Transfer to Pisco Regional Airport
10:30 AM - 10:40 AM
Check-in, security procedures, boarding flight
10:40 AM - 11:00 AM
Flight over the Nazca Lines
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Time for lunch in Paracas
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Return to Lima by private transport
1:45 PM - 5:45 PM
